Organic thiol metal-free stabilizers and plasticizers for halogen-containing polymers

ABSTRACT

Organic thiol compounds including mercaptophenylcarboxylates are disclosed which can be utilized to plasticize and/or stabilize halogen-containing polymer compositions, especially poly(vinyl chloride) compositions. Compounds of the present invention are utilized in polymers normally susceptible to deterioration and color change, which typically occurs during processing of the polymer or exposure to certain environments.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No.10/171,744 filed Jun. 14, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,081, which is acontinuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No. 09/884,306, filedJun. 19, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,231, which is acontinuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No. 09/737,973, filedDec. 15, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,667,357, and all entitled “OrganicThiol Metal-Free Stabilizers and Plasticizers for Halogen-ContainingPolymers.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mercaptophenylcarboxylates and otherorganic thiol compounds and the preparation thereof. The organic thiolcompounds are utilized to plasticize and/or heat stabilizehalogen-containing polymer compositions especially poly(vinyl chloride)compositions. The compositions are substantially free or free ofmetal-based stabilizers, Lewis acids and terpenes. The compounds of thepresent invention are ideally utilized in polymers normally susceptibleto deterioration and color change which can occur during processing ofthe polymer or exposure of the polymer to certain environments andsurprisingly also serve as excellent plasticizers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that chlorine-containing resins, particularlypoly(vinyl chloride) polymers and copolymers, are unstable to heat andlight and that the physical properties thereof are degraded uponexposure thereto. This degradation is typically manifested bydevelopment of or change in color. It is particularly noticeable inunstabilized polymers, i.e., polymers which do not contain stabilizers.Degradation or discoloration during processing is particularlyundesirable in clear or lightly colored plastics. Therefore, it isdesirable to prevent or inhibit the discoloration of plastics duringprocessing so as to achieve useful products free of discoloration.

In order to minimize the discoloration and deterioration of varioushalogen-containing polymers such as vinyl chloride polymers andcopolymers, various stabilizers such as lead-, cadmium-, and tin-basedstabilizers have been developed and utilized. However, in recent yearsenvironmental pollution caused by the toxicity of the heavy metalresidues and ecological considerations have stimulated furtherevaluation of such compounds and generated a search for alternativeapproaches.

Various compounds have been proposed for use in stabilizinghalogen-containing polymers:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,928,285 to Gough et al. relates to a synergisticstabilizer composition comprising an organotin borate and an organicthiol.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,827 to Christidis relates to a thiophenol, preparedby reduction of tertiary butyl-4-toluenesulfonyl-2-chloride with thezinc-sulfuric acid couple, which reportedly can be used as a stabilizerfor vinyl chloride polymers, as a chain-transfer agent, and as apeptizer.

European Patent Application No. EP 0 890 608 A2 relates to both flexibleand rigid vinyl chloride polymer compositions incorporating a latentmercaptan-containing heat stabilizer which are reportedly substantiallyfree from the offensive odor typically associated with mercaptans andare protected during processing by the degradation products of thelatent (i.e., blocked) mercaptan, which include a free mercaptan.

European Patent Application No. EP 0 945 484 A1 relates to compositionscomprising halogen-containing polymers such as PVC resins which arereportedly stabilized against heat by a synergistic combination of afree mercaptan and a metal-based stabilizer and/or a Lewis acid such aszinc chloride.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Organic thiol compounds and routes for their preparation are disclosedherein. The organic thiol compounds of the present invention, whenblended with a halogen-containing polymer such as poly(vinyl chloride)or derivatives thereof, provide numerous advantages which includeserving as plasticizers, heat stabilizers, and dehydrochlorinationretarders. The organic thiol compounds of the present invention have asubstantially reduced or even lack a characteristic odor typicallyassociated with thiol compounds. In a preferred embodiment, the organicthiols are mercaptophenylcarboxylates.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Aromatic

The organic thiols of the present invention are aromatic compoundshaving at least one sulfhydryl group attached either directly orindirectly to an aromatic ring. The aromatic compound may contain one ormore aromatic rings and at least one sulfhydryl substituent, as well asother groups such as an ester group, and the like. The organic thiolscan generally be described by the formula:

wherein R¹ and R², independently, comprise straight chain or branchedalkyls having from 1 or 2 to about 15 carbon atoms, and preferably fromabout 4 to about 15 carbon atoms, or an aromatic or a substitutedaromatic having from about 6 to about 15 carbon atoms and wherein,independently, n is either 0, 1, 2, or 3, m is either 0, 1, 2, or 3, andp is either 0, 1, 2, or 3, with the proviso that m+n+p=6 or less. It isto be understood that when, independently, m, n, and/or p are greaterthan 1, the individual repeat groups are each attached to a differentcarbon atom on the benzene ring.Independent exemplifications of R¹ and R² are 2-ethylhexyl, isooctyl,isodecyl, benzyl and butyl.

Examples of compounds which can be formed from the above formulainclude:

The various compounds of the above-disclosed general formula wherein m=0can be synthesized substantially as follows. In a first step, a desiredamount of an hydroxy aromatic acid is placed in a reaction vesseltogether with a large molar excess of an alcohol having from 1 to about3 carbon atoms, preferably methanol or ethanol. From about 0.05 to about0.5 mole, per mole of the starting acid, of a very strong acid, i.e.,one having a concentrated pH of at least 1 to about 3, such as H₂SO₄,para-toluenesulfonic acid, or hydrochloric acid, is added to themixture, and the mixture is then heated either under air or preferablyunder inert conditions, such as under nitrogen, generally to the refluxtemperature of the alcohol, for a sufficient length of time until thereaction is complete, a condition which can be established throughperiodic analysis.

The hot solution is then poured into a quantity of ice water. Then, theprecipitate is filtered off and washed on the filter until the pH of thewash liquid is neutral. The filtered product is then dried to give anhydroxy aromatic ester, which can be purified further by conventionalmethods, if desired.

A desired amount of the above-noted ester is added to a reaction vesselalong with an N,N-dialkylthiocarbamoyl halide such asN,N-dimethylthiocarbamoyl chloride (about 1-3 moles per mole of ester),a base such as DABCO (about 1-3 moles per mole of ester), andN,N-dimethylformamide (about 1-3 liters per mole of ester). The mixtureis stirred at room temperature (e.g., 15° C. to about 30° C.) for asuitable reaction time, and a suitable quantity of water is then addedto induce precipitation of a solid which is filtered off and washed onthe filter until the pH of the wash liquid is neutral. The resultingsecond step intermediate product (the corresponding O-substitutedN,N-dimethylthiocarbamate) is subsequently dried.

The second step intermediate product is transferred to a suitablereaction vessel and heated preferably in an oil bath or the like to atemperature from about 180° C. to about 250° C. and desirably from about220° C. to about 235° C. until the reaction is complete, generally inabout 20 minutes to about 2 hours. Then, after cooling to about 60° C.to about 90° C., the reaction vessel is purged with nitrogen or otherchemically unreactive gas, and an aqueous solution of a base such asNaOH or KOH is subsequently added in an amount that is at leastsufficient to cause hydrolysis of the thiocarbamate and ester groups.The mixture is heated under reflux to induce complete reaction and thencooled to room temperature and acidified to a pH generally less than 4in any manner such as with a 10 percent aqueous solution utilizing anacid as stated above. The recovered mercapto acid product from the thirdstep is washed with suitable quantities of water and dried, preferablyunder a vacuum.

In the final step of the synthesis, the intermediate product from thethird step is added to a reaction vessel equipped with a suitablestirring apparatus, a water separator, and a reflux condenser, alongwith an alkyl alcohol having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms in an amount fromabout 1 to about 2 molar equivalents per carboxyl group in the mercaptoacid, benzene or other suitable entraining agent for water (about 0.5 to2 L per mole of mercapto acid), and a strong acid (about 0.1 to 0.3 moleper mole of mercapto acid) as defined above. The mixture is heated tothe reflux temperature for a sufficient time to induce extensivereaction, typically approximately three hours, or until all the solid isdissolved. The solution is cooled to room temperature and poured intoice water, and the organic layer is washed in succession with a NaHCO₃or Na₂CO₃ solution and water. The organic layer is dried over a dryingagent such as anhydrous MgSO₄. The dried solution is decolorized withactivated carbon, filtered, and distilled to remove the benzene andother volatile impurities. The final product is generally an oil or lowmelting solid having a structure defined by the general formula of thepresent invention.

When m in the general formula is unequal to 0, the HSR²OOC groups of thethiols of this invention can be introduced by the direct esterificationof COOH groups with thioalkanols (HSR²OH), using methods that arewell-known to those skilled in the art. For example, compound 11 inwhich R² is —(CH₂)₆— has been prepared by the esterification ofisophthalic acid with two molar equivalents of 6-mercapto-1-hexanol inthe presence of a catalytic amount of concentrated H₂SO₄.

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) 5-mercaptoisophthalate is one such compound which isdisclosed by the general formula of the present invention when n is 1, mis 0, p is 2, and R¹ is 2-ethylhexyl, and is also shown as specificformula 4. The synthetic route disclosed hereinbelow for preparation ofthe bis(2-ethylhexyl) 5-mercaptoisophthalate compound is based in parton a Newman-Kwart reaction, as in the general route described above.

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) 5-mercaptoisophthalate can be synthesized as follows:

To a 1-L round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar wereadded 187.8 g (1 mol) of 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid commerciallyavailable from Aldrich (purity approximately 97%) and 500 mL (12.3 mol)of methanol. After the addition of 28 mL of concentrated H₂SO₄, themixture was heated to the reflux temperature and stirred under refluxfor 4 hours. The hot solution was poured into 500 mL of ice water. Then,the white solid product was filtered off and washed on the filter withseveral portions of water until the pH of the wash liquid was neutral.The product was dried under vacuum, preferably at 60° C. overnight, togive 206.8 g of dimethyl 5-hydroxyisophthalate. Testing on thecomposition revealed the following data: mp 164-166° C.; GC purity >99%;yield 98.2%; ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃+DMSO-d₆ w/TMS, ppm): 3.68 (s, 6H, OCH₃),7.45 (s, 2H, CH), 7.89 (s, 1H, CH), 9.35 (broad, 1H, OH); {¹H}¹³C NMR(in CDCl₃+DMSO-d₆ w/TMS, ppm): 51.92 (OCH₃), 120.50 (C4, C6), 121.10(C2), 131.15 (C1, C3), 157.36 (C5), 165.85 (COOR); ¹H-¹³C NMR (inCDCl₃+DMSO-d₆ w/TMS, ppm): 51.92 (quartet, OCH₃, ¹J_(CH)=147 Hz), 120.50(d, C4, C6, ¹J_(CH)=164.4 Hz), 121.10 (d, C2, ¹J_(CH)=168.3 Hz), 131.15(s, C1, C3), 157.36 (s, C5), 165.85 (s, COOR); GC-MS (in acetone): 210(M⁺).

To a 150-mL round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirring barwere added dimethyl 5-hydroxyisophthalate, N,N-dimethylthiocarbamoylchloride, DABCO (1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane), and 50 mL ofN,N-dimethylformamide. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5hours, and 100 mL of water then was added slowly. The orange solidgradually disappeared, and the solution became light brown. Anadditional 100 mL of water was added to induce the precipitation of awhite solid, which was filtered off and washed on the filter withportions of water until the pH of the wash liquid was neutral. Theproduct was dried, preferably under vacuum at 60° C. overnight, to give1-O-3,5-bis(methoxycarbonyl)phenylene N,N-dimethylthiocarbamate as awhite powder. Testing of the compound revealed the following: mp114.5-116.5° C.; ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃w/TMS, ppm): 3.38 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 3.46(s, 3H, NCH₃), 3.94 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 7.93 (s, 2H, CH), 8.58 (s, 1H, CH);{¹H}¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 38.85 (NCH₃), 43.39 (NCH₃), 52.51(OCH₃), 127.96 (C4), 128.36 (C2, C6), 131.54 (C3, C5), 153.86 (C1),165.30 (COOR), 186.84 (OC(S)NR₂).

As shown by the following table, reaction yield for1-O-3,5-bis(methoxycarbonyl)phenylene N,N-dimethylthiocarbamate variedas a function of the molar ratio of the reactants.

TABLE 1 Molar Ratio of the Reactants vs. Reaction Yield N,N-Dimethyl-Dimethyl thiocarbamoyl Ester,a Chloride, DABCO, Molar Yield, g (mmol) g(mmol) g (mmol) Ratio g (%) 5.50 (26.2) 9.60 (77.0) 8.70 (77.0) 1/3/37.60 (97.7) 5.00 (23.8) 3.30 (26.2) 8.00 (71.4) 1/1.1/3 6.54 (92.5) 5.00(23.8) 3.30 (26.2) 5.34 (47.6) 1/1.1/2 6.42 (90.7) 5.00 (23.8) 2.95(23.8) 2.95 (26.3) 1/1/1.1 5.13 (72.4) 4.82 (22.9) 3.12 (25.2) 3.86(34.4) 1/1.1/1.5 4.38 (64.0) a= Dimethyl 5-hydroxyisophthalate.

In a test tube containing a magnetic stirring bar, 0.1 g (0.336 mmol) of1-O-3,5-bis(methoxycarbonyl)phenylene N,N-dimethylthiocarbamate washeated in an oil bath at a constant temperature, preferably about230-235° C., for a selected time, preferably least 20 minutes. As can beseen from the following table, reaction yield varied as a function oftime and temperature.

TABLE 2 Reaction Yield of 1-S-3,5-bis(methoxycarbonyl)phenyleneN,N-dimethylthiocarbamate As a Function of Temperature and TimeTemperature, ° C. Time, min Yield, %^(a) 176 20 No reaction 200 20 <5208 20 <5 220 20 30 230 20 55 240 20 Decomposition 230 40 75 230 60 90232 60 >90 232 90 95 232-235 60 100 232-235 90 100 232-235 120 100^(a)The yields were determined by comparing the proton NMR signalintensities of the —N(CH₃)₂ groups of the starting material and theproduct.

The white solid first melted into a yellowish oil, then gradually becamedark brown. After cooling to room temperature, a tar-like solid wasobtained. Recrystallization from methanol gave1-S-3,5-bis(methoxycarbonyl)phenylene N,N-dimethylthiocarbamate as agray solid having the following characteristics: mp 117-118° C.; ¹H NMR(in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 3.06 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 3.12 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 3.94 (s,6H, OCH₃), 8.34 (s, 2H, CH), 8.69 (s, 1H, CH); {¹H}¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃w/TMS, ppm): 37.06 (N(CH₃)₂), 52.53 (OCH₃), 130.90 (C4), 131.44 (C3,C5), 131.58 (C2, C6), 140.87 (C1), 165.81 (COOR), 165.94 (SC(O)NR₂);¹H-¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 37.06 (quartet, N(CH₃)₂, ¹J_(CH)=139.6Hz), 52.53 (quartet, OCH₃, ¹J_(CH)=147.34 Hz), 130.90 (doublet oftriplets, C4, ¹J_(CH)=167.65 Hz, ³J_(CH)=6.448 Hz), 131.44 (C3, C5),131.58 (doublet of doublets,. C2, C6, ¹J_(CH)=168.3 Hz, ³J_(CH)=6.448Hz), 140.87 (C1), 165.81 (COOR), 165.94 (SC(O)NR₂).

The 1-O-3,5-bis(methoxycarbonyl)phenylene N,N-dimethylthiocarbamate(112.2 g, 0.377 mol) was placed in a 2-L two-necked round-bottom flaskequipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a condenser, and a thermometer.The flask was submerged in an oil bath preheated to 232-234° C. and keptat that temperature for 2 hours. The resulting dark brown oil wasallowed to cool to about 80° C. Then the thermometer was replaced by agas inlet tube, and the system was purged with nitrogen before 850 mL of2.7 N NaOH was added. The mixture was heated under reflux for 2 hours,cooled to room temperature, and acidified to pH<4 with 10% aqueous HCl.Then the beige solid product was washed, preferably 3 times, with 400-mLportions of water and dried under vacuum at 60-70° C. to obtain5-mercaptoisophthalic acid. Testing of the compound revealed thefollowing properties: yield 67.5 g (90.3%); mp 240-246° C.; ¹H NMR (inDMSO-d₆ w/TMS, ppm): 3.02 (s, 1H, SH), 8.24 (s, 2H, CH), 8.37 (s, 1H,CH), 13.50 (broad, 2H, COOH); {¹H}¹³C NMR (in DMSO-d₆ w/TMS, ppm):129.43 (C2), 130.88 (C4, C6), 134.74 (C1, C3), 136.51 (C5), 166.91(COOH); ¹H-¹³C NMR (in DMSO-d₆w/TMS, ppm): 129.43 (d, C2, ¹J_(CH)=167.39Hz), 130.88 (d, C4, C6, ¹J_(CH)=165.27 Hz), 134.74 (C1, C3), 136.51(C5), 166.91 (COOH).

In the final step of the synthesis, to a 1-L round-bottom flask equippedwith a magnetic stirring bar, a water separator, and a condenser wereadded 65.1 g (0.328 mol) of powdered 5-mercaptoisophthalic acid, 113 mL(94.2 g, 0.723 mol) of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 200 mL of benzene, and 4 mL ofconcentrated H₂SO₄. After the mixture had been heated under reflux for asufficient time, approximately 3 h, about 12 mL (0.67 mol) of water hadbeen collected by the water separator. The mixture was allowed to refluxuntil all of the solid was dissolved, generally about 24 hours, and adark brown solution was obtained. After cooling to room temperature, thesolution was poured into ice water, and the organic layer was washed insuccession with 50 mL of saturated NaHCO₃ solution and two 50-mLportions of water. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, andthe dried solution was decolorized with ca. 10 g of activated carbon.After filtration, most of the benzene was removed by distillation atatmospheric pressure, and the excess 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and a traceamount of benzene were then removed by distillation at about 1 torr. Theresidual oil was bis(2-ethylhexyl) 5-mercaptoisophthalate. Testing onthe compound revealed the following data: yield 132.7 g (95.5%); GCpurity >89%; ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 0.94 (m, 8H, CH₂), 1.40 (m,20H, CH₂CH₃), 1.75 (m, 2 H, CH), 3.77 (s, 1H, SH), 4.28 (d, 4H, CH₂),8.11 (s, 2H, CH), 8.43 (s, 1H, CH); {¹H}¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm):11.125 (C6′/C8′), 14.031 (C6′/C8′), 23.050 (C5′/C7′), 24.211 (C5′/C7′),29.154 (C3′/C4′), 30.760 (C3′/C4′), 39.196 (C2′), 68.107 (C1′), 127.87(C2), 132.23 (C1, C3), 133.09 (C5), 134.14 (C4, C6), 165.47 (COOR);GC-MS (in acetone): 422 (M⁺).

The reaction sequence for the synthesis just described is as follows:

2-Ethylhexyl 3-mercaptobenzoate is a compound also disclosed by FormulaI set forth hereinabove, wherein n=1, m=0, p=1, and R¹ is 2-ethylhexyl,with the sulfhydryl group being in a meta position. 2-Ethylhexyl3-mercaptobenzoate and similar compounds can be prepared from carboxylicacids by utilizing a process including a chlorosulfonation step, areduction step, and a subsequent esterification step. Following is thesynthesis for 2-ethylhexyl 3-mercaptobenzoate.Preparation of 3-Chlorosulfonylbenzoic Acid

Benzoic acid (250 g, 2.05 mol) was placed in a 1-L round-bottom flask,and chlorosulfonic acid (1 L, 1760 g, 15.1 mol) was added. The mixturewas heated with stirring at 120-125° C. for 2 h, allowed to cool to40-50° C., and added dropwise to an excess of crushed ice. Theprecipitated product was collected by filtration and dissolved in 1 L ofethyl acetate; then the aqueous layer that formed was separated, and theorganic layer was washed with 100 mL of water, dried over sodiumsulfate, and concentrated by evaporation to near dryness. Aftertrituration with 300 mL of hexane, the product was collected byfiltration, washed on the filter with 200 mL of hexane, and dried in airto give 384.1 g (85%) of 3-chlorosulfonylbenzoic acid, mp 134-135° C.(lit. mp 134-135° C.); ¹H NMR (400 MHz, in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm) 11.43(broad s, CO₂ H), 7.81 (t, J=8.0 Hz, H-5), 8.32 and 8.50 (2d, J=8.0 Hz,H-4 and H-6), 8.79 (t, J=1.6 Hz, H-2); {¹H}¹³C NMR (100 MHz, in CDCl₃w/TMS, ppm) 170.00 (C═O), 145.06 (C-3), 136.71 (C-6), 131.92 (C-4),131.31 (C-1), 130.63 (C-5), 128.91 (C-2).Preparation of 3-Mercaptobenzoic Acid

3-Chlorosulfonylbenzoic acid (156.0 g, 0.707 mol), acetic acid (240 mL),and red phosphorus (78.5 g, 2.53 mol) were placed in a 2-L three-neckflask. The mixture was heated to 110° C. and stirred while a solution ofiodine (2.82 g, 0.011 mol) in acetic acid (66 mL) was added dropwiseover about 30 min, so as to maintain the color of iodine vapor. Thestirred mixture was cooled to 100° C. and treated dropwise with 41 mL(2.3 mol) of water over a 10-min period, then heated at refluxtemperature for 1.5 h and subsequently cooled to 90° C. Following theaddition of saturated sodium chloride solution (250 mL) and water (500mL), the mixture was kept at 0-5° C. for 1 h and filtered. The dampfilter cake was slurried with 450 mL of acetone, and the excess redphosphorus was removed by filtration; then the acetone was evaporatedfrom the filtrate while adding 500 mL of water. The resultant solid wasfiltered off and dried under vacuum to give 100.1 g (92%) of3-mercaptobenzoic acid, mp 138-141° C. (lit. mp 138-141° C.); ¹H NMR(400 MHz, in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm) 3.59 (s, SH), 7.36 (t, J=7.8 Hz, H-5),7.51 and 7.90 (2d, J=7.8 Hz, H-4 and H-6), 8.03 (s, H-2); {¹H}¹³C NMR(100 MHz, in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm) 171.77 (C═O), 134.49 (C-4), 132.24 (C-1),130.86 (C-2), 130.34 (C-3), 129.42 (C-5), 127.59 (C-6).Preparation of 2-Ethylhexyl 3-Mercaptobenzoate

2-Ethyl-1-hexanol (44.4 g, 0.341 mol), 3-mercaptobenzoic acid (35.0 g,0.227 mol), toluene (250 mL) (or other suitable solvent forming anazeotrope with water), and concentrated sulfuric acid (0.2 mL) wereplaced in a 500-mL three-neck round-bottom flask equipped with amagnetic stirring bar, a water separator, and a reflux condenser. Afterthe mixture had been heated under reflux with stirring for 6 h, thesolid 3-mercaptobenzoic acid had disappeared, and 4.14 mL (0.230 mol) ofwater had been collected by the water separator. The mixture was allowedto cool to room temperature and washed in succession with 20 mL ofsaturated NaHCO₃ solution and two 50-mL portions of brine. Then theorganic layer was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and freed of solvent byrotary evaporation under vacuum to give 57.2 g (95%) of residual2-ethylhexyl 3-mercaptobenzoate as a mobile straw-colored oil; ¹H NMR(400 MHz, in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm) 0.89-0.97 (m, 6H, 2CH ₃), 1.30-1.48 (m,8H, 4CH ₂), 1.67-1.76 (m, 1H, CH), 3.56 (s, 1H, SH), 4.19-4.27 (m, 2H,OCH ₂), 7.30 (t, J=7.8 Hz, H-5), 7.43 and 7.81 (2d, J=8.0 Hz, H-4 andH-6), 7.94 (t, J=1.8 Hz, H-2); {¹H}¹³C NMR (100 MHz, in CDCl₃ w/TMS,ppm) 166.17 (C═O), 133.50 (C-4), 131.86 and 131.65 (C-1 and C-3), 130.29(C-2), 129.24 (C-5), 126.91 (C-6), as well as 67.85, 39.21, 30.88,29.33, 24.30, 23.32, 14.43, and 11.44 (8 aliphatic Cs).

Yet another aromatic compound containing ester functionality and atleast one sulfhydryl group, which can be prepared from Formula I, is2-ethylhexyl 2-mercaptobenzoate, wherein n=1, m=0, p=1, and R¹ is2-ethythexyl, with the sulfhydryl group being in an ortho position. Themethod of preparation is as follows:Preparation of 2-Ethylhexyl 2-Mercaptobenzoate

2-Ethyl-1-hexanol (21.0 g, 0.161 mol), 2-mercaptobenzoic acid (25.0 g,0.162 mol), toluene (200 mL), and concentrated sulfuric acid (0.2 mL)were placed in a 500-mL three-neck round-bottom flask equipped with amagnetic stirring bar, a water separator, and a reflux condenser. Afterthe mixture had been heated under reflux with stirring for 6 h, thesolid 2-mercaptobenzoic acid had disappeared, and 2.90 mL (0.161 mol) ofwater had been collected by the water separator. The mixture was allowedto cool to room temperature and washed in succession with 20 mL ofsaturated NaHCO₃ solution and two 50-mL portions of brine. Then theorganic layer was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and freed of solvent byrotary evaporation under vacuum to give 40.9 g (95%) of residual2-ethylhexyl 2-mercaptobenzoate as a mobile straw-colored oil; ¹H NMR(400 MHz, in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm) 0.88-0.97 (m, 6H, 2CH ₃), 1.3-1.5 (m, 8H,4CH ₂), 1.68-1.78 (m, 1H, CH), 4.21-4.29 (m, 2H, OCH ₂), 4.73 (s, 1H,SH), 7.1-7.3 [m, 3H, H-4 and H-5 with d (J=3.2 Hz) for H-3 at 7.29],8.01 (d, J=7.6 Hz, H-6); {¹H}¹³C NMR (100 MHz, in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm)166.99 (C═O), 138.49 and 126.39 (C-1 and C-2), 132.53, 131.77, 131.12,and 124.82 (C-3, -4, -5, and -6), 67.86, 39.19, 30.92, 29.33, 24.34,23.35, 14.44, and 11.46 (8 aliphatic Cs).

Aliphatic

In a further embodiment, the organic thiols of the present invention arealiphatic esters having at least one sulfhydryl group. The aliphaticester thiol compounds can be derived from a mono- or polycarboxylic acidand can generally be described by the formulae:(HS)_(z)R³[CO₂R⁴(SH)_(y)]_(x)  Formula IIA(HS)_(z)R³[O₂CR⁴(SH)_(y)]_(x)  Formula IIBwherein R³ and each R⁴, independently, are straight chain or branchedaliphatics, such as alkyls, having generally from 1 to about 20, andpreferably from about 1 or 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, wherein y and z,independently, can be 0, 1, 2, to about 10 or more, wherein x is 1, 2,or an integer up to about 10. It is to be understood that all of thegroups in brackets do not necessarily have the same structure in a givencompound. That is, for example, if x is 2 or greater, one R⁴ canindependently have a different structure than another R⁴, i.e. one R⁴can be propyl and another R⁴ ethyl. Preferred aliphatic compoundsinclude di-ester organic thiols wherein at least one sulfhydrylsubstituent is attached to an aliphatic group either between the esterfunctional groups (acyl portion of the ester) or external thereof (alkylportion of the ester). General formulae for representative di-esterorganic thiol compounds include the following:

wherein R⁵, R⁶, and R⁷, independently, are straight chain or branchedaliphatics, such as alkyls, having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, andpreferably from about 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, and u, v, and w,independently, are either 0, 1, or 2, or an integer up to about 10.Independent examples of R⁵, R⁶, and R⁷ are 2-ethylhexyl, ethyl,ethylidene, butyl, butylidene, hexyl, hexylidene, decyl, and decylidene.

A few specific examples of compounds which can be formed from FormulaeIIA, IIB, III, and IV are:

The numerous compounds described by Formulae IIA, IIB, III, and IV canbe synthesized substantially as follows. A desired amount of acarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid which is optionally substitutedwith one or more sulfhydryl groups is added to a reaction vessel whichis desirably equipped with a mechanical stirrer, a water separator, anda condenser. From about 0.1 to about 5 moles of an aliphatic alcohol orpolyol optionally substituted with a sulfhydryl group is added to thereaction vessel per mole of carboxyl groups. Benzene, toluene, or othersuitable entraining agent for water in an amount from about 0.2 to 2.0liters per mole of carboxyl groups, and about 0.02 to about 0.2 molesper mole of carboxylic acid, of a strong acid, i.e., one having aconcentrated pH of at least 1 to about 3, such as H₂SO₄, are added tothe vessel. The mixture is heated under reflux with stirring, and theprogress of the reaction can be followed by GC-MS analysis. After aperiod of time that depends upon the structures of the startingmaterials, the carboxylic acid disappears, and about 1 mole of water permole of carboxyl groups has been collected by the water separator. Uponcooling to room temperature, the mixture is extracted with a quantity ofsaturated aqueous NaHCO₃ or Na₂CO₃ solution and washed with portions ofwater. The organic layer is dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ or other suitabledrying agent, and most of the benzene is removed by rotary evaporationunder aspirator vacuum at about 45-50° C. Trace amounts of residualbenzene and excess aliphatic alcohol optionally sulfhydryl substitutedare removed by vacuum distillation at elevated temperature and about0.01 to about 5.0 mm pressure to yield an aliphatic ester thiol asdescribed above.

As apparent from the above description, organic thiol compounds definedby at least Formula III can be formed by utilizing sulfhydryl groupsubstituted aliphatic alcohols, and the organic thiol compounds of atleast Formula IV can be formed by utilizing a sulfhydryl groupsubstituted carboxylic diacid. Furthermore, compounds of Formulae IIAand IIB, wherein y and z are both positive integers, can be formed whenboth sulfhydryl substituted carboxylic acids or polyacids and sulfhydrylsubstituted aliphatic alcohols or polyols are utilized in the reaction.

Bis(6-mercaptohexyl) adipate

is an example of a compound disclosed by Formula III of the presentinvention, wherein R⁵ is 1,4-butylidene, R⁶ and R⁷ are hexyl, and v andw are 1. The synthetic method for the preparation ofbis(6-mercaptohexyl) adipate is as follows:

To a 1-liter round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, awater separator, and a condenser were added 58.5 grams (0.400 mol) ofpowdered adipic acid, 110.7 grams (0.825 mol) of 6-mercapto-1-hexanol,200 milliliters of benzene, and 1 milliliter (80 drops) of concentratedsulfuric acid. The mixture was heated under reflux with stirring, andthe progress of the reaction was followed by GC-MS analysis. After 2-3hours, the solid adipic acid had disappeared, and 15.8 milliliters(0.878 mol) of water had been collected by the water separator. Uponcooling to room temperature, the mixture was extracted with 60milliliters of saturated NaHCO₃ solution and washed with two100-milliliter portions of water. The organic layer was dried overanhydrous MgSO₄, and most of the benzene was removed by rotaryevaporation under aspirator vacuum at 45-50° C. Trace amounts ofresidual benzene and 6-mercapto-1-hexanol then were removed by vacuumdistillation at 160° C. (bath temperature) and 0.5 millimeter pressureto yield bis(6-mercaptohexyl) adipate as a straw-colored liquid. Yieldof bis(6-mercaptohexyl) adipate, 123.6 grams (81.6%, calcd. 151.4grams); GC purity, >95%; ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 1.54 (t, 4H, CH₂CH ₂CO₂R), 1.26-1.66 (br, 16H, OCH₂(CH₂)₄), 2.10 (t, 2H, SH), 2.29 (t,4H, CH ₂CO₂R), 2.47 (quartet, 4H, CH ₂SH), 4.00 (t, 4H, OCH ₂); {¹H}¹³CNMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 24.32 (C3/C6), 24.38 (C3/C6), 25.33 (C3′),27.83 (C2/C4), 28.42 (C2/C4), 33.73 (C5/C2′), 33.78 (C5/C2′), 64.08(C1), 172.91 (CO ₂R).

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) mercaptosuccinate

is an example of a compound disclosed by Formula IV of the presentinvention, wherein R⁵ is 1,2-ethylidene, R⁶ and R⁷ are 2-ethylhexyl, andu is 1. The synthetic method for the preparation of bis(2-ethylhexyl)mercaptosuccinate is as follows:

To a 1-liter round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, awater separator, and a condenser were added 75.0 grams (0.500 mol) ofpowdered mercaptosuccinic acid, 170.0 milliliters (141.6 grams, 1.087mol) of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 250 milliliters of benzene, and 1 milliliter(80 drops) of concentrated sulfuric acid. The mixture was heated underreflux with stirring, and the progress of the reaction was followed byGC-MS analysis. After approximately 3 hours, the solid mercaptosuccinicacid had disappeared, and about 19 milliliters (1.1 mol) of water hadbeen collected by the water separator. Refluxing was allowed to continueovernight in order to ensure completion of the esterification. Uponcooling to room temperature, the mixture was extracted with 50milliliters of saturated NaHCO₃ solution and washed with two 100milliliter portions of water. The organic layer was dried over anhydrousMgSO₄, and most of the benzene was removed by rotary evaporation underaspirator vacuum at 45-50° C. Trace amounts of residual benzene and2-ethyl-1-hexanol then were removed by vacuum distillation at 140° C.(bath temperature) and 0.5 millimeter to yield bis(2-ethylhexyl)mercaptosuccinate as a straw-colored liquid. Yield of bis(2-ethylhexyl)mercaptosuccinate, 177.0 grams (94.5%, calcd. 187.3 grams); GCpurity, >94%; ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 0.87-0.92 (br, 12H, CH₃),1.29-1.43 (br, 16H, CH₂), 1.54-1.64 (br, 2H, CH), 2.19 (d, 1H, SH), 2.76(d of d, 1H, CH ₂CO₂R), 3.02 (d of d, 1H, CH ₂CO₂R), 3.74-3.80 (d ofquartet, 1H, CHCH₂CO₂R), 4.00-4.14 (m, 4H, OCH₂); {¹H}¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃w/TMS, ppm): 10.93, 10.96, and 10.98 (C8), 14.03 (C6), 22.94 (C7), 23.70(C5), 28.86 and 28.89 (C4), 30.25 and 30.30 (C3), 36.35 (CSH), 38.68,38.69, 38.73, and 38.75 (C2), 39.87 (CH ₂CO₂R), 67.30 and 67.94 (C1),170.16 and 172.13 (CO₂R).

Pentaerythritol tetrakis(2-mercaptopropionate)

is an example of a compound disclosed by Formula IIB of the presentinvention, wherein R³ is pentaerythrityl, R⁴ is ethyl, x is 4, y is 1,and z is 0. The synthetic method for the preparation of pentaerythritoltetrakis(2-mercaptopropionate) is as follows:

To a 500-milliliter round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirringbar, a water separator, and a condenser were added 27.23 grams (0.200mol) of pentaerythritol, 90.22 grams (0.850 mol) of 2-mercaptopropionicacid, 100 milliliters of toluene, and 0.5 milliliter of concentratedsulfuric acid. The mixture was heated under reflux with stirring. Afterabout 2 days, the solid material had disappeared, and about 17milliliters (0.94 mol) of water had been collected by the waterseparator. Upon cooling to room temperature, the mixture was extractedwith 30 milliliters of saturated NaHCO₃ solution and washed with two50-milliliter portions of water. The organic layer was dried overanhydrous MgSO₄, and most of the toluene and residual2-mercaptopropionic acid were removed by distillation under vacuum.Recrystallization of the residue from ethanol gave 86.0 grams (88.4%,calcd. 97.3 grams) of pentaerythritol tetrakis(2-mercaptopropionate) asa white solid, mp 93-96° C.; ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 4.17-4.30 (ABm, 8H, CH ₂O), 3.50 (pentuplet, 4H, CHSH), 2.17 (d of d, 4H, SH), 1.51(d, 12H, CH ₃); {¹H}¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 172.79 (C═O), 62.47(CH ₂O), 43.05 [C(CH₂)₄], 35.43 (CHSH), 20.94 (CH₃).

A further pentaerythritol derivative, pentaerythritol 2-ethylhexanoatetris(2-mercaptopropionate):

is disclosed by Formula IIB, wherein R³ is pentaerythrityl, x is 4, R⁴is ethyl, ethyl, ethyl and 2-ethylhexyl, z is zero, and y is 3 with thesulfhydryl group pendant from the second carbon atom of each of thepropionate groups of the compound. The synthetic method for thepreparation of pentaerythritol 2-ethylhexanoatetris(2-mercaptopropionate) is as follows: Pentaerythritol (27.23 g,0.200 mol), 2-mercaptopropionic acid (68.0 g, 0.641 mol), toluene (250mL), and concentrated sulfuric acid (0.5 mL) were placed in a 1-Lround-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a waterseparator, and a condenser. The mixture was heated under reflux withstirring for 2 days; then 2-ethylhexanoic acid (29.0 g, 0.201 mol) andan additional amount (0.2 mL) of concentrated sulfuric acid wereintroduced. Following an additional day of stirring and heating, thetotal volume of water collected by the water separator was 17 mL (0.94mol). The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature, thenwashed in succession with 40 mL of saturated NaHCO₃ solution and two50-mL portions of brine. The organic layer was dried over anhydrousMgSO₄ and subjected to vacuum distillation at 130° C. in order to removemost of the toluene as well as any unconverted 2-mercaptopropionic acidand 2-ethylhexanoic acid. The residual pentaerythritol 2-ethylhexanoatetris(2-mercaptopropionate) (70.0 g; yield, 66.5%) was a straw-coloredoil; ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 4.1-4.3 (m, 8H, CH₂O), 3.4-3.5 (m,3H, CHSH), 2.2-2.3 (m, 1H, CHCO₂), 2.12 (d of d, 3H, SH), 1.45-1.65 (m,13H, HSCHCH ₃ and CCH ₂C), 1.2-1.45 (m, 4H, CCH ₂C), 0.85 (t, 6H, CH₃CH₂).

A dipentaerythritol derivative, dipentaerythritolhexakis(3-mercaptopropionate):

is disclosed by a variation of Formula IIB wherein dipentaerythritylwould be substituted for R³, x is 6, each R⁴ is ethyl, z is 0, and y is6 with the sulfhydryl group attached to the terminal carbon atom of thepropionate groups. Dipentaerythritol hexakis(3-mercaptopropionate) canbe prepared as follows: Dipentaerythritol (25.5 g, 0.100 mol),3-mercaptopropionic acid (74.3 g, 0.700 mol), toluene (250 mL), andconcentrated sulfuric acid (0.5 mL) were placed in a 1-L round-bottomflask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a water separator, and acondenser. The mixture was heated under reflux with stirring for 2 days,then allowed to cool to room temperature and washed in succession with20 mL of saturated NaHCO₃ solution and two 50-mL portions of brine. Theorganic layer was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, and most of the tolueneand any unconverted 3-mercaptopropionic acid were removed by vacuumdistillation at 130° C. The residue, a viscous, colorless oil, wasessentially pure dipentaerythritol hexakis(3-mercaptopropionate) (45.4g; yield, 58.0%); ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 4.09 (s, 12H, CH ₂OC═O),3.38 (s, 4H, CH ₂OCH ₂), 2.7-2.75 (m, 12H, CH ₂SH), 2.63 (t, 12H, CH₂C═O), 1.61 (t, 6H, SH); {¹H}¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 171.19(C═O), 69.86 (CH₂OCH₂), 62.74 (CH₂OC═O), 43.27 [C(CH₂)₄], 38.57(CH₂C═O), 19.95 (CH₂SH).

Di-Ester Ether Compounds Containing Sulfhydryl Groups

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the organic thiolsof the present invention are di-ester ether compounds having at leastone sulfhydryl group attached thereto. The di-ester ether compounds cangenerally be described by the formula:

wherein R⁸ and R⁹, independently, comprise straight chain or branchedalkylidenes having from 1 or about 2 to about 15 carbon atoms, andpreferably from about 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, or an aromatic or asubstituted aromatic having from about 6 to about 15 carbon atoms, suchas when (R⁸O)_(D)R⁹ is derived from diphenyl ether; and wherein R¹⁰ andR¹¹, independently, comprise straight chain or branched alkyls havingfrom 1 or about 2 to about 15 carbon atoms, and preferably from 1 toabout 10 carbon atoms, or an aromatic or a substituted aromatic havingfrom about 6 to about 15 carbon atoms; and wherein A and B independentlyare either 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and wherein D is an integer from 1 toabout 10, with 1, 2, or 3 preferred.

Examples of organic thiol compounds which can be formed from Formula Vinclude:

The preferred compounds of this embodiment can generally be preparedfrom ether diols and carboxylic acids containing at least one sulfhydrylgroup as follows. The ether diol (such as di(ethylene glycol) ortri(ethylene glycol)) and sulfhydryl-group-containing carboxylic acidare added to a reaction vessel in at least about a 1:2 mole ratio,respectively. Toluene or other suitable solvent that forms an azeotropewith water in an amount from about 1 to about 10 liters per mole ofether diol and a catalytic amount of a strong acid such as sulfuricacid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, or the like are also added tothe reaction vessel, which is equipped with a stirring device, a waterseparator, and a reflux condenser. The mixture is heated under reflux atthe boiling temperature of the solvent until the solid componentsdissolve or the reaction is complete, generally for a suitable length oftime such as about six hours. Water is collected in the water separator.The mixture is cooled to room temperature, washed in succession firstwith an aqueous solution of NaHCO₃ or other weak base, then with brine,and dried over MgSO₄ or other suitable drying agent. Then the desireddi-ester ether thiol is obtained as a residue after evaporation ordistillation of the solvent.

Di(ethylene glycol) bis(3-mercaptobenzoate) (compound 15) is a compoundwhich can be prepared from the above general formula and procedure,wherein R⁸ and R⁹ are each CH₂CH₂, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each a benzene ring,and A and B are 1, wherein the sulfhydryl groups are attached to thebenzene ring in a meta position, and D is 1. Di(ethylene glycol)bis(3-mercaptobenzoate) can be prepared as follows:

Di(ethylene glycol) (19.0 g, 0.179 mol), 3-mercaptobenzoic acid (57.9 g,0.376 mol), toluene (250 mL), and concentrated sulfuric acid (0.2 mL)were placed in a 500-mL three-neck round-bottom flask equipped with amagnetic stirring bar, a water separator, and a reflux condenser. Afterthe mixture had been heated under reflux with stirring for 6 h, thesolid 3-mercaptobenzoic acid had disappeared, and 6.50 mL (0.361 mol) ofwater had been collected by the water separator. The mixture was allowedto cool to room temperature and washed in succession with 20 mL ofsaturated NaHCO₃ solution and two 50-mL portions of brine. Then theorganic layer was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and freed of solvent byrotary evaporation under vacuum to give 67.4 g (99%) of residualdi(ethylene glycol) bis(3-mercaptobenzoate) as a viscous straw-coloredoil; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm) 3.56 (s, 2H, 2SH), 3.87 (t,J=4.6 Hz, 4H, CH ₂OCH ₂), 4.49 (t, J=4.6 Hz, 4H, 2CH ₂O₂C), 7.26 (t,J=8.0 Hz, H-5), 7.42 and 7.79 (2d, J=7.6 Hz, H-4 and H-6), 7.92 (s,H-2); {¹H}¹³C NMR (100 MHz, in CDCl₃w/TMS, ppm) 165.98 (C═O), 133.67(C-4), 131.98 (C-1), 131.03 (C-3), 130.36 (C-2), 129.26 (C-5), 127.02(C-6), 69.38 (CH ₂OCH₂), 64.44 (2CH₂O₂C).

Di(ethylene glycol) bis(2-mercaptobenzoate) (compound 16) is anothercompound which can be prepared from the above general formula andprocedure, wherein R⁸ and R⁹ are each CH₂CH₂, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are each abenzene ring, and A and B are 1, wherein the sulfhydryl groups are in anortho position, and D is 1. Di(ethylene glycol) bis(2-mercaptobenzoate)can be prepared as follows:

Di(ethylene glycol) (20.0 g, 0.189 mol), 2-mercaptobenzoic acid (58.6 g,0.380 mol), toluene (250 mL), and concentrated sulfuric acid (0.3 mL)were placed in a 500-mL three-neck round-bottom flask equipped with amagnetic stirring bar, a water separator, and a reflux condenser. Afterthe mixture had been heated under reflux with stirring for 6 h, thesolid 2-mercaptobenzoic acid had disappeared, and 7.5 mL (0.416 mol) ofwater had been collected by the water separator. The mixture was allowedto cool to room temperature and washed in succession with 20 mL ofsaturated NaHCO₃ solution and two 50-mL portions of brine. Then theorganic layer was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and freed of solvent byrotary evaporation under vacuum to give 71.5 g (100%) of residualdi(ethylene glycol) bis(2-mercaptobenzoate) as a viscous straw-coloredoil; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm) 3.86 (t, J=4.6 Hz, 4H, CH₂OCH ₂), 4.48 (t, J=4.6 Hz, 4H, 2CH ₂O₂C), 4.65 (s, 2H, 2SH), 7.0-7.3[m, H-4 and H-5 with d (J=3.6 Hz) for H-3 at 7.26], 8.00 (d, J=7.6 Hz,H-6); {¹H}¹³C NMR (100 MHz, in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm) 166.69 (C═O), 138.48and 125.90 (C-1 and C-2), 132.76, 132.01, 131.07, and 124.89 (C-3, -4,-5, and -6), 69.31 (CH₂OCH₂), 64.49 (2CH₂O₂C).

Mercaptophenylcarboxylates

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the organic thiols aremercaptophenylcarboxylates, preferably formed as a reaction product of amercaptophenylcarboxylic acid and an alcohol. In a preferred embodiment,the alcohol is a polyol of di- or greater functionality. It is furtherpreferred in one embodiment that the alcohol contain at least one ethergroup. The reaction products are synthesized in a few steps by apreferred route set forth herein. The organic thiols are utilizedpreferably as heat stabilizers in compositions containing chlorine- orbromine-containing polymers, such as but not limited to poly(vinylchloride), which are substantially free and preferably free ofmetal-containing stabilizers, Lewis acids, and terpenes. The thiols arehighly effective as primary thermal stabilizers and in furtherembodiments are excellent plasticizers when used at relatively highplasticizer loading levels as known in the art.

The mercaptophenylcarboxylic acids of the invention are carboxylic acidshaving a pendant mercaptophenyl group. The mercaptophenylcarboxylicacids are set forth by the formula:

wherein R¹² is a straight chain or branched alkylene having from 1 toabout 15 carbon atoms, with 1 to about 6 carbon atoms preferred, andwherein E is 1 to about 4 or 5. The sulfhydryl (mercapto) group ispresent in an ortho, meta, or para position, or optionally a combinationthereof if more than one such group is present. Examples ofmercaptophenylcarboxylic acids include, but are not limited to,2-mercaptophenylacetic acid, 3-mercaptophenylacetic acid,4-mercaptophenylacetic acid, 3,4-dimercaptophenylacetic acid,2-(4-mercaptophenyl)propionic acid, 2-(3-mercaptophenyl)propionic acid,3-(4-mercaptophenyl)propionic acid, and 2-(3-mercaptophenyl)butyricacid, and combinations thereof.

The alcohols utilized in the reaction are capable of undergoing anesterification reaction with the mercaptophenylcarboxylic acid. Suitablealcohols are mono-, di- and polyhydric alcohols, or mixtures thereof.The alcohols are described by the formula R¹³(OH)_(f), wherein f rangesfrom 1 to about 10, and preferably is 2 or 3 to about 4 or about 6, andwherein R¹³ is i) a linear, cyclo-, or branched alkyl or alkylene grouphaving from 1 to about 25 carbon atoms, and preferably from 2 or 3 toabout 15 or 20 carbon atoms, or ii) an aralkyl or aralkylene grouphaving from 7 to about 25 carbon atoms, with R¹³ optionally containingheteroatoms such as an ethereal oxygen. In one embodiment, the alcoholsare polyols of di- or greater functionality. In a preferred embodiment,the polyol contains one or more ether groups. Examples of alcoholsinclude, but are not limited to, polyether polyols such as di(ethyleneglycol) and tri(ethylene glycol), propanediol, butanediol,pentaerythritol, glycerol, 4,4′-dimethyloldiphenyl ether, and o-, m-, orp-xylene-α, α′-diol. Preferred alcohols are di(ethylene glycol),tri(ethylene glycol), and 1,3-propanediol. When f is 2 or more, alkyleneor aralkylene is the proper term for the R¹³ group.

The mercaptophenylcarboxylate organic thiols of this embodiment aredescribed by the formula:

wherein E, R¹², and R¹³ are defined hereinabove, and wherein D is 1 or 2to about 10, and preferably 2 or 3 to about 4 or about 6.

Specific examples of mercaptophenylcarboxylate organic thiols are:

A method for synthesizing the mercaptophenylcarboxylate organic thiolsof the invention is set forth below.

In one step, a mercaptophenylcarboxylic acid is prepared, preferablyfrom the following general procedure. Chlorosulfonic acid is added,preferably dropwise, to a reaction vessel containing a phenylcarboxylicacid. The reaction vessel is preferably equipped with a mechanicalstirrer or other agitation means. About 2 to about 20 mols ofchlorosulfonic acid are utilized per mol of phenylcarboxylic acid whilemaintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture at about 0° C. plusor minus about 10° C. The mixture is allowed to warm to room temperatureover an extended period of time, such as about 12 hours, and then added,preferably dropwise, to an excess of crushed ice in order to precipitatethe mercaptophenylcarboxylic acid. The mercaptophenylcarboxylic acid iscollected by suction filtration and dissolved in a solvent such as ethylacetate. The organic layer is separated from the aqueous layer andwashed with a quantity of water, subsequently dried over a suitabledrying agent such as anhydrous sodium sulfate, and then evaporated toyield chlorosulfonylphenylcarboxylic acid. Often, an isomeric mixture isformed. If desired, the individual isomers can be isolated from thismixture by utilizing conventional separation techniques such asrecrystallization or column chromatography.

In a next step, to form the mercaptophenylcarboxylic acid, the productfrom the above reaction is added to a reaction vessel along with about 1to about 5 mols of red phosphorus, and the mixture is maintained at atemperature of about 90° C. to about 120° C. while a solution of acatalytic amount of iodine in acetic acid is added dropwise underagitation. After cooling to about 90° C. to 100° C., the stirred mixtureis treated dropwise with a quantity of water over a period of time, suchas about 10 minutes; heated under reflux for a period of time, such asabout 1.5 hours; cooled to about 0° C. to about 10° C. for a period oftime such as about 1 hour; and treated with additional water. Theresultant solid mercaptophenylcarboxylic acid or mixture of the isomersthereof is then collected and optionally purified, recrystallized,decolorized, or a combination thereof.

An alternative route for forming the mercaptophenylcarboxylic acid canalso be utilized. In this route, reactants such as red phosphorus andiodine are added to a reaction vessel along with the carboxylic acid,and the mixture is heated under reflux, preferably with agitation. Asolution of chlorosulfonylphenylacetic acid(s) dissolved in a suitablesolvent such as acetic acid is added slowly over a predetermined timeperiod. After the addition is complete, the mixture is heated,preferably under agitation at about 90° C. to about 110° C. for a periodof time, such as about 4 hours. Afterwards, the mixture is maintained attemperature while water is added thereto over a period of time, such asabout 2 hours. The mixture is cooled to about minus 5° C. to about 0°C., and the unchanged phosphorus is removed by suction filtration. Anadditional quantity of water is added. The amount depends on the amountsof the starting materials. Thereafter, the desired product(s),mercaptophenylcarboxylic acid(s), is/are extracted with, for example,dichloromethane. The dichloromethane solution is subsequently dried witha suitable drying agent and evaporated to isolate the product.

To form the mercaptophenylcarboxylate, to a reaction vessel is/are addedthe mercaptophenylcarboxylic acid(s) and an alcohol in stoichiometricquantities to produce the desired end product, along with a strong acidsuch as sulfuric acid and a solvent, such as toluene. The reactionvessel is preferably equipped with an agitation means, a waterseparator, and a condenser. The mixture is heated under reflux for anextended period of time, such as about 6 hours or otherwise until thereaction is complete. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture ispreferably washed with aqueous NaHCO₃ solution and portions of brine,then dried, preferably over MgSO₄ or other suitable drying agent. Thereaction product(s), mercaptophenylcarboxylate(s), is/are isolated asknown in the art, such as by dissolution in a solvent such asdichloromethane followed by treatment of the solution at the boilingpoint with a small amount of decolorizing carbon, hot filtration, androtary evaporation to remove the solvent. If desired, the product can bepurified by conventional methods such as column chromatography orrecrystallization.

One suitable mercaptophenylcarboxylic acid which is reacted with analcohol to form the mercaptophenylcarboxylate organic thiols of thepresent embodiment is mercaptophenylacetic acid, specifically the 3- and4-isomers thereof. Mercaptophenylacetic acid can be prepared as follows.Chlorosulfonic acid (1 L, 1760 g, 15.10 mol) was added dropwise withstirring at 0±5° C. to a round-bottom flask containing 300.0 g (2.20mol) of phenylacetic acid. The mixture was allowed to warm to roomtemperature overnight and then added dropwise to an excess of crushedice, in order to precipitate the crude product, which was collected bysuction filtration and dissolved in 750 mL of ethyl acetate. Afterseparation of the aqueous layer that formed, the organic layer waswashed with 100 mL of water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, andevaporated nearly to dryness. The resultant solid was recovered bysuction filtration and dried in air to obtain 440.9 g of product thatyielded 160.0 g (31%) of a solid that melted at 129-130° C. afterrecrystallization from chloroform. This solid was shown by NMR analysesto consist primarily of 4-chlorosulfonylphenylacetic acid. Evaporationof the mother liquor left 280.9 g (yield, 54%) of material that wasshown by NMR analyses to be mostly a 65:35 mixture of the 4- and 3-isomers, respectively, of the chlorosulfonyl product. Products havingdifferent isomer ratios were obtained from other runs. For a typicalisomer mixture, ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 3.81 (s, 2H, CH₂),7.41-8.02 (m, 4H, aromatic CH), 9.90 (broad s, 1H, CO₂H). For theessentially pure 4-isomer, ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 3.81 (s, 2H,CH₂), 7.56 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H, CH-2,6), 8.02 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H, CH-3,5),8.47 (broad s, 1H, CO₂H); {¹H}¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 41.08(CH₂), 127.54 (C-3,5), 131.03 (C-2,6), 141.33 (C-1), 143.54 (C-4),176.15 (C═O). For the 3-isomer in a typical mixture, {¹H}¹³C NMR (inCDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 40.31 (CH₂), 125.82 (C-4), 127.61 (C-2), 129.83(C-5), 135.21 (C-1), 136.26 (C-6), 144.33 (C-3), 176.20 (C═O).

Two modifications of the same general method were used to form themercaptophenylacetic acid. They afforded comparable yields, and bothwere applicable to chlorosulfonyl starting materials with various isomercompositions.

Modification A. A mixture of chlorosulfonylphenylacetic acids (130.0 g,0.554 mol) containing a large preponderance of the 4-isomer, acetic acid(190 mL), and red phosphorus (50.0 g, 1.61 mol) was prepared in around-bottom flask and kept at 110° C. while a solution of iodine (2.30g, 9.06 mmol) in acetic acid (66 mL) was added dropwise with efficientmechanical stirring during 30 min (this procedure was designed tomaintain the color of iodine vapor in the reaction vessel). Aftercooling to 100° C., the stirred mixture was treated dropwise with water(34 mL) during 10 min, heated under reflux for 1.5 h, kept at 0-5° C.for 1 h, and treated with an additional 500 mL of water. The resultantsolid was collected by suction filtration and slurried withdichloromethane (200 mL); then the mixture was filtered with suction toremove the residual phosphorus and treated at the boiling point with asmall amount of decolorizing carbon. Hot filtration and removal of thesolvent by rotary evaporation afforded 78.7 g (yield, 84%) of a paleyellow solid, mp 79-84° C., that was shown by ¹H and ¹³C NMR analyses toconsist primarily of an 80:20 mixture of 4- and 3-mercaptophenylaceticacids, respectively.

Modification B. A mixture of red phosphorus (100.0 g, 3.23 mol), iodine(3.60 g, 14.2 mmol), and acetic acid (300 mL) contained in around-bottom flask was heated under reflux with stirring while asolution of chlorosulfonylphenylacetic acids (mostly the 3- and4-isomers, 200.0 g, 0.852 mol) in acetic acid (100 mL) was slowly addeddropwise, so as to minimize the loss of iodine vapor. When the additionwas complete, the stirred mixture was heated at 100° C. for 4 h, treatedcarefully (by slow addition) with water (72 mL), kept at 100° C. for anadditional 2 h, and then cooled to minus 5 to about 0° C. Following theremoval of unchanged phosphorus by suction filtration, an additional 500mL of water was added, and the desired product was removed by extractingthe mixture with two 200-mL portions of dichloromethane. The combinedextracts were dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and subjected to rotaryevaporation to obtain 120.0 g (yield, 84%) of residualmercaptophenylacetic acid, mp 60-70° C., which was shown by NMRmeasurements to be mostly a mixture of the 4- and 3-isomers in a ratioof 55:45, respectively.

For the 4-isomer, ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 3.44 (s, 1H, SH), 3.58(s, 2H, CH₂), 7.14 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H, CH-3,5), 7.23 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H,CH-2,6), 11.10 (broad s, 1H, OH); {¹H}¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm):40.78 (CH₂), 129.89 and 130.36 (C-3,5 and C-2,6), 130.15 (C-4), 130.95(C-1), 178.24 (C═O). For the 3-isomer, ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm):3.46 (s, 1H, SH), 3.57 (s, 2H, CH₂), 7.04-7.25 (m, 4H, aromatic CH),11.10 (broad s, 1H, OH); {¹H}¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 41.11 (CH₂),126.96 (C-6), 128.56 (C-4), 129.54 (C-5), 130.41 (C-2), 131.55 (C-3),134.39 (C-1), 177.82 (C═O).

In one embodiment, the mercaptophenylcarboxylate pentaerythritoltetrakis(3- and 4-mercaptophenylacetate),

is prepared as follows.

Pentaerythritol (10.0 g, 0.0734 mol), a mixture of mercaptophenylaceticacids (62.0 g, 0.369 mol) containing ca. 80% of the 4-isomer,concentrated sulfuric acid (0.3 mL), and toluene (250 mL) were placed ina round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a waterseparator, and a condenser. During 6 h of heating under reflux withstirring, the solid organic acid mixture disappeared, and 7.5 mL (0.416mol) of water was collected by the water separator. The mixture wasallowed to cool to room temperature and washed in succession with 20 mLof saturated NaHCO₃ solution and two 50-mL portions of brine. Drying ofthe organic layer over anhydrous MgSO₄, followed by rotary evaporationand subsequent drying of the residue in a vacuum oven, afforded 51.3 g(yield, 95%) of a pale yellow solid mixture of pentaerythritoltetrakis(mercaptophenylacetate)s whose major isomeric constituent (ca.80%) was shown to be the 4-one by NMR measurements: ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃w/TMS, ppm): 3.44-3.53 (m, 3H, SH and CH₂C═O), 3.92-3.99 (m with strongs at 3.92, 2H, CH₂O), 7.02-7.41 (m, 4H, aromatic CH); {¹H}¹³C NMR (inCDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 40.35 (4-isomer CH₂C═O) and 40.69 (3-isomer CH₂C═O);42.05 [C(CH₂)₄]; 61.96 and 61.98 (3- and 4-isomer CH₂O); 126.32, 127.61,129.16, 129.45, 129.71, 129.80, 130.63, 132.31, 134.18, and 135.80(aromatic C); 170.20 (3-isomer C═O) and 170.31 (4-isomer C═O).

An analogous preparation was carried out by starting with a 50:50mixture of 3- and 4-mercaptophenylacetic acids. In this case, the crudeproduct was dissolved in 400 mL of dichloromethane, and the solution wastreated at the boiling point with a small amount of decolorizing carbon.Subsequent hot filtration, followed by rotary evaporation of thesolvent, gave 52.5 g (yield, 97%) of a viscous pale yellow oil that wasshown by NMR measurements to be pentaerythritoltetrakis(mercaptophenylacetate) containing equal amounts of the 3- and4-isomers: ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 3.45-3.56 (m, 3H, SH andCH₂C═O), 3.90-3.98 (m with strong s at 3.91, 2H, CH₂O), 6.95-7.40 (m,4H, aromatic CH); {¹H}¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 40.77 (4-isomerCH₂C═O) and 41.12 (3-isomer CH₂C═O); 42.50 [C(CH₂)₄]; 62.40 (CH₂O);126.75, 128.45, 129.60, 129.88, 130.15, 130.20, 131.07, 131.71, and134.63 (aromatic C); 170.55 (3-isomer C═O) and 170.78 (4-isomer C═O).

In a further embodiment, the mercaptophenylcarboxylate di(ethyleneglycol) bis(3- and 4-mercaptophenylacetate),

is prepared as follows.

A 55:45 mixture of the respective 4- and 3-mercaptophenylacetic acids(40.39 g, 0.240 mol), di(ethylene glycol) (12.00 g, 0.113 mol),concentrated sulfuric acid (0.2 mL), and toluene (200 mL) were placed ina round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a waterseparator, and a condenser. During 6 h of heating under reflux withstirring, the solid organic acid isomers disappeared, and 3.96 mL (0.220mol) of water was collected by the water separator. The mixture waswashed in succession with 20 mL of saturated NaHCO₃ solution and two50-mL portions of brine, then dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and freed ofsolvent on a rotary evaporator. Dissolution of the residue in 100 mL ofdichloromethane, followed by treatment of the solution at the boilingpoint with a small amount of decolorizing carbon, hot filtration, androtary evaporation to remove solvent, gave 42.0 g (yield, 91%) of aviscous pale yellow oil that was shown by NMR analyses to be di(ethyleneglycol) bis(mercaptophenylacetate) containing the 4- and 3-isomers in aratio of ca. 55:45, respectively: ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 3.47 (s,4-isomer SH) and 3.49 (s, 3-isomer SH), 1H in toto; 3.57-3.70 (m, 4H,CH₂C═O and CH₂OCH₂); 4.21-4.29 (m, 2H, CH₂OC═O); 7.08-7.47 (m, 4H,aromatic CH); {¹H}¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 40.45 (4-isomerCH₂C═O); 40.78 (3-isomer CH₂C═O); 63.78, 63.80, and 63.85 (CH₂OC═O);68.77 (CH₂OCH₂); 126.41, 127.83, 129.02, 129.08, 129.38, 129.81, 129.84,131.00, 131.14, and 134.63 (aromatic C); 170.81 (3-isomer C═O) and171.02 (4-isomer C═O).

In yet another embodiment, the mercaptophenylcarboxylate tri(ethyleneglycol) bis(3- and 4-mercaptophenylacetate),

is prepared as follows.

A 55:45 mixture of the respective 4- and 3-mercaptophenylacetic acidisomers (40.0 g, 0.238 mol), tri(ethylene glycol) (15.0 g, 0.100 mol),concentrated sulfuric acid (0.2 mL), and toluene (200 mL) were placed ina round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a waterseparator, and a condenser. Heating of the mixture under reflux withstirring for 6 h led to the disappearance of the solid organic acidisomers and to the collection of 3.96 mL (0.220 mol) of water by thewater separator. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture waswashed in succession with 20 mL of saturated NaHCO₃ solution and two50-mL portions of brine, then dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and freed ofsolvent on a rotary evaporator. Dissolution of the residue in 400 mL ofdichloromethane, followed by treatment of the solution at the boilingpoint with a small amount of decolorizing carbon, hot filtration, androtary evaporation to remove solvent, gave 44.0 g (yield, 98%) oftri(ethylene glycol) bis(mercaptophenyl acetate) as a viscous paleyellow oil that was shown by NMR measurements to contain the 4- and3-isomers in a ratio of ca. 55:45, respectively: ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS,ppm): 3.44 (s, 4-isomer SH) and 3.47 (s, 3-isomer SH), 1H in toto;3.56-3.66 (m, 6H, CH₂C═O and CH₂OCH₂); 4.23-4.26 (m, 2H, CH₂OC═O);7.05-7.44 (m, 4H, aromatic CH); {¹H}¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃ w/TMS, ppm): 40.91(4-isomer CH₂C═O) and 41.24 (3-isomer CH₂C═O); 64.34 (CH₂OC═O); 69.34(CH₂CH₂O₂C); 70.82 (CH₂OCH₂CH₂O₂C); 126.20-135.12 (at least 12 peaks,aromatic C); 171.29 (3-isomer C═O) and 171.50 (4-isomer C═O).

In a further embodiment, the mercaptophenylcarboxylate 1,3-propanediolbis(3- and 4-mercaptophenylacetate),

is prepared as follows.

1,3-Propanediol (9.50 g, 0.125 mol), a 55:45 mixture of the respective4- and 3- isomers of mercaptophenylacetic acid (45.00 g, 0.268 mol),concentrated sulfuric acid (0.2 mL), and toluene (200 mL) were combinedin a round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a waterseparator, and a condenser. During 6 h of heating under reflux withstirring, the solid organic acid isomers disappeared, and 4.46 mL (0.248mol) of water was collected by the water separator. The mixture wasallowed to cool to room temperature, washed in succession with 20 mL ofsaturated NaHCO₃ solution and two 50-mL portions of brine, then driedover anhydrous MgSO₄ and freed of solvent on a rotary evaporator.Dissolution of the residue in 400 mL of dichloromethane, followed bytreatment at the boiling point with a small amount of decolorizingcarbon, hot filtration, and rotary evaporation to remove solvent, gave46.4 g (yield, 99%) of 1,3-propanediol bis(mercaptophenylacetate) as aviscous pale yellow oil that was shown by NMR analyses to contain the 4-and 3-isomers in a ratio of ca. 55:45, respectively: ¹H NMR (in CDCl₃w/TMS, ppm): 1.91-1.96 (m, 2H, CH₂CH₂CH₂); 3.44 (s, 4-isomer SH) and3.47 (s, 3-isomer SH), 2H in toto; 3.53-3.63 (m, 4H, CH₂C═O); 4.10-4.14(m, 4H, CH₂O); 7.03-7.44 (m, 8H, aromatic CH); {¹H}¹³C NMR (in CDCl₃w/TMS, ppm): 28.14 (CH₂CH₂CH₂); 40.99 (4-isomer CH₂C═O) and 41.31(3-isomer CH₂C═O); 61.64 (CH₂O); 126.80-132.36 (at least 9 peaks,aromatic C); 171.20 (3-isomer C═O) and 171.41 (4-isomer C═O).

The organic thiol compounds disclosed by the present invention are usedas additives for polymeric compounds, wherein, for example, the organicthiols can serve as plasticizers and/or stabilizers. The organic thiolsare free of metal, and desirably are not used in conjunction with anymetal-based stabilizers, Lewis acids, or terpenes. By metal-basedstabilizers it is meant any metal compound, salt, complex, or the likeof any of the metals, including the transition metals and rare earth, asset forth in groups 1-7 of the periodic table, such as, but not limitedto the heavy metals, for example cadmium, mercury, lead, and the like aswell as other generally environmentally unfriendly or undesirablecompounds.

Examples of specific metal-based stabilizers which are avoided includethose set forth in European Patent Application EP 0 945 484 A1 at leaston page 3 thereof. Accordingly, the polymer compositions of the presentinvention are substantially free of the various metal-based stabilizers,and contain generally less than about 2 parts, desirably less than about1 part, and preferably less than about 0.5 part by weight or areentirely free thereof, based upon 100 total parts by weight of the oneor more halogen-containing polymers or copolymers. The polymercompositions of the present invention are also generally substantiallyfree of various Lewis acids such as boron trifluoride, aluminumchloride, zinc chloride, methyltin trichloride, dibutyltin dichloride,and the like. Such acids when contained in the polymeric composition aregenerally less than about 0.5 part, desirably less than about 0.1 part,and preferably less than about 0.01 part by weight per 100 total partsby weight of all halogen-containing polymers or copolymers.

Terpenes are generally unsaturated hydrocarbons having the formula(C₅H₈)_(x) where x is 1 to about 10 and are acyclic or cyclic. Specificnon-limiting examples of terpenes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,242,133, incorporated by reference. The halogen-containing polymercompositions including an organic thiol are preferably free of a terpeneand contain less than 1 part, and preferably less than about 0.5 part ofterpene(s) per 100 parts by weight of the polymer.

The polymers utilized in the present invention include any organicchlorine- or bromine-containing polymers or resins in which the halogenis attached directly to a carbon atom. Polymers and/or monomers thereofuseful to the present invention include, but are not limited to,poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(vinylbromide), poly(vinylidene bromide), chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride),chlorinated polyethylene, chlorinated natural or synthetic rubber,polychloroprene, rubber hydrochloride, or chlorinated polystyrene, andcombinations and copolymers thereof. The molecular weight of suchpolymers can vary over a wide range, and they generally have a numberaverage molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 1,000,000, or fromabout 10,000 to 100,000 for poly(vinyl chloride). Such polymers can alsocontain other plasticizers in addition to the compounds of the presentinvention, and where appropriate, such polymers can be plastisols,organisols, and the like.

The above noted chlorine- or bromine-containing polymers are made frommonomers forming the same such as vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride,and the like, or are a copolymer made from a mixture of monomerscomprising, desirably, at least about 70% by weight of vinyl chloride,based on the total monomer weight. Examples of the copolymers includethose made from vinyl chloride and from about 1 to about 30% of acopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer such as vinyl acetate,vinyl butyrate, vinyl benzoate, vinylidene chloride, diethyl fumarate,diethyl maleate, other alkyl fumarates and maleates, vinyl propionate,methyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, butyl acrylate and other alkylacrylates, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylateand other alkyl methacrylates, methyl alpha-chloroacrylate, styrene,trichloroethylene, vinyl ethers such as vinyl ethyl ether, vinylchloroethyl ether and vinyl phenyl ether, vinyl ketones such as vinylmethyl ketone and vinyl phenyl ketone, 1-fluoro-2-chloroethylene,acrylonitrile, chloroacrylonitrile, allylidene diacetate, andchloroallylidene diacetate. Typical copolymers include vinylchloride-vinyl acetate (e.g. 96:4 sold commercially as VYNW), vinylchloride-vinyl acetate (e.g. 87:13), vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleicanhydride (e.g. 86:13:1), vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride (e.g.95:5), vinyl chloride-diethyl fumarate (e.g. 95:5), and vinylchloride-2-ethylhexyl acrylate (e.g. 80:20).

Preferred polymers include poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(vinyl bromide).Preferred copolymers include vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate, vinylchloride-vinylidene chloride, and other vinyl chloride copolymers.

The organic thiol compounds according to the present invention are addedto or blended with the above described polymers in any suitable amount,generally from about 1 to about 100 parts by weight per 100 total partsby weight of all of the one or more polymers or copolymers, depending onthe desired properties of the final product such as being plasticized.As stated above, the organic thiol compounds of the present inventionare particularly suitable for serving as both stabilizers andplasticizers. A semi-rigid composition of the present invention woulddesirably contain from about 1 to about 10, or about 15, or about 25parts of the organic thiol compound per 100 parts by weight of a polymerdefined above. A flexible composition of this invention contains fromabout 25, or about 30, or about 50, or about 60 to about 100 parts ofthe organic thiol compound per 100 parts of polymer utilized in thepresent invention. The organic thiol compounds can be incorporated intothe resin by any one of many known methods that provide for uniformdistribution of additives throughout resin compositions, such as, forexample, mixing in an appropriate mill, mixer, or Banbury apparatus.

Depending on the end use, further additives in conventional or suitableamounts, known to the art and to the literature or to those of ordinaryskill in the art, can be added to the above noted polymers, such ascertain other stabilizers and costabilizers, lubricants, plasticizers,extenders, impact modifiers, fillers, pigments, antioxidants, dyes,ultraviolet light absorbing agents, densifying agents, and the like. Forexample, additional non-metal-containing heat stabilizers as known inthe art are added to the polymer compositions in one embodiment.Examples include, but are not limited to, organic phosphites,nitrogen-containing stabilizers, epoxy compounds, and various polyols.

Advantageously, it has been found that the addition of epoxidizedsoybean oil (ESO) to compositions of the present invention usuallyincreases the effectiveness of the organic thiols. Generally, epoxidizedsoybean oil is utilized in chlorine- or bromine-containing polymers asan HCl or HBr scavenger. Epoxidized soybean oil can be utilized incompositions of the present invention in an amount generally from about1 to about 30 parts, desirably from about 2 to about 20 parts, andpreferably from about 3 to about 10 parts by weight per 100 parts byweight of chlorine- or bromine-containing polymer. The advantageouseffect obtained by utilizing both epoxidized soybean oil and the organicthiols of the present invention can be seen in some of the resultslisted in Table 4 hereinbelow, wherein it is shown that both the dynamicheat stability and decomposition time are improved when compared tothose of compositions without the above stated compounds.

Various epoxy-based compounds are utilized in the present invention inplace of the epoxidized soybean oil in generally the same amounts asnoted herein. Examples of such epoxy compounds include, but are notlimited to, epoxidized lard oil, epoxidized olive oil, epoxidizedlinseed oil, epoxidized castor oil, epoxidized peanut oil, epoxidizedcorn oil, epoxidized tung oil, epoxidized cottonseed oil,epichlorohydrin/Bisphenol A resins, phenoxy-propylene oxide,butoxypropylene oxide, epoxidized neopentylene oleate, glycidylepoxystearate, epoxidized α-olefins, epoxidized glycidyl soyate,dicyclopentadiene dioxide, epoxidized butyl toluate, styrene oxide,dipentene dioxide, glycidol, vinyl cyclohexene dioxide, glycidyl etherof resorcinol, glycidyl ether of hydroquinone, glycidyl ether of1,5-di-hydroxynaphthalene, epoxidized linseed oil fatty acids, allylglycidyl ether, butyl glycidyl ether, cyclohexane oxide,4-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) acetophenone, mesityl oxide epoxide,2-ethyl-3-propyl glycidamide, glycidyl ethers of glycerine,pentaerythritol and sorbitol, and 3,4-epoxycyclohexane-1,1-dimethanolbis-9,10-epoxystearate.

As stated above, the organic thiols greatly enhance the heat stabilityof halogenated resins, which are known to undergo rapid thermaldegradation under the conditions found in the processes to which theseresins are subjected, such as, for example, calendering, extrusion,injection molding, and end usage at elevated temperatures. For example,poly(vinyl chloride) is known to undergo a rapid and sequentialelimination of hydrogen chloride, or dehydrochlorination, at elevatedprocess temperatures. Other halogenated resins are known to undergosimilar dehydrohalogenation reactions. Dehydrochlorination in PVC caninitiate at labile chlorines that are associated with irregularities inthe molecular chain, such as branches or double bonds. Once free, theHCl promotes further degradation of the poly(vinyl chloride) throughunzipping of additional hydrogen chloride from the polymer chain. Theprimary functions of heat stabilizers in PVC are to depress hydrogenchloride elimination and discoloration. In addition to functioning asheat stabilizers, the organic thiols of the present invention are ofteneffective plasticizers and frequently serve or function as both a heatstabilizer and a plasticizer. Thus, in many polymer compositions such asPVC, organic thiols of the present invention serve as heavy-metal-freeor metal-based-free stabilizers and plasticizers, a unique combination.

The organic thiols of the invention thus unexpectedly improve theprocessing properties of the polymers, further providing cost andefficiency improvements to resin processors. The disclosed thiols alsogenerally do not cause odor problems associated with the processing ofresins stabilized thereby and provide greatly increased resistance toresin yellowing associated with thermal degradation.

It is to be understood that both the aromatic and aliphatic organicthiols of the present invention can contain one or more substituentsthereon, including but not limited to, alkoxy groups, ester groups suchas carboethoxy or carbomethoxy, and halides such as chlorine, fluorine,bromine, and iodine. That is, various functional groups, such as thoselisted above, which do not react with the ester linkage or sulfhydrylgroups can be utilized.

The following examples serve to illustrate, but not to limit, thepresent invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1

An intimate mixture of PVC and di(2-ethylhexyl) 5-mercaptoisophthalate(0.044 mole per mole of PVC monomer units) was heated under argon at170° C. for 1.5 hours. At the end of the heating period, the mixtureretained its initial white color.

Example 2

An intimate mixture of PVC and pentaerythritoltetrakis(2-mercaptopropionate) (0.038 mole per mole of PVC monomerunits) was heated under argon at 175-180° C. for 2.0 hours. At the endof the heating period, the mixture retained its initial white color.

Example 3

(Controls)

An intimate mixture of PVC and 1-dodecanethiol (0.044 mole per mole ofPVC monomer units) was heated under argon at 170° C. for 1.5 hours. Atthe end of the heating period, the mixture was dark red-brown in color,a result that was indicative of extensive degradation. Essentially thesame result was obtained when PVC was heated under the same conditionsin the absence of a thiol or other additives.

Example 4

The following Table 3 is a comparative evaluation of the organic thiolbis(2-ethylhexyl) 5-mercaptoisophthalate in a typical poly(vinylchloride) composition with current commercially utilized stabilizers.The formulations evaluated (A-F) were prepared by standard blendingmethods that are well-known to those skilled in the art. Properties ofthese formulations were determined by the standard ASTM methods that areidentified under the heading “Test Description”. The measurementsreported show that the thiol plasticizer/stabilizer gave physicalproperties to the formulations which were comparable to those obtainedwith the common commercial plasticizer, DOP. Thus it is apparent thatthe thiol can function as the primary plasticizer for PVC without theneed for additional plasticization. Moreover, the data in Table 3 showthat the dynamic and static heat stability conferred by the thiol areequal to or better than those obtained with traditional amounts ofcommercial lead or barium-zinc heat stabilizers. Further, the tabulateddata reveal that the stability obtained with the thiol can be achievedwithout the incorporation of an epoxidized soybean oil costabilizer.Finally, the data for formulations E and F indicate that the thermalstabilization effects of the thiol and the barium-zinc stabilizer areantagonistic, rather than additive or synergistic.

TABLE 3 Evaluation of Bis(2-ethylhexyl) 5-Mercaptoisophthalate in aTypical Poly(vinyl chloride) Composition A (control) B (control) C D E FIngredient Description OxyVinyls 455F (PVC) 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00100.00 100.00 DOP (Plasticizer) 30.00 30.00 — — — 30.00 ThiolPlasticizer/Stabilizer (Bis(2-ethylhexyl) 5- — — 35.00 30.00 30.00 5.00mercaptoisophthalate) Epoxidized Soybean Oil (HCl scavenger) 5.00 5.00 —5.00 5.00 — General Purpose Ba/Zn Liquid (Stabilizer) 3.00 — — — 3.003.00 Dythal/Tribase Blend (Lead stabilizer) — 4.00 — — — — Stearic Acid(Processing lubricant) 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 Total (Parts byweight) 138.10 139.10 135.10 135.10 138.10 138.10 Test DescriptionHardness, Shore C (ASTM D 2240-86) 85/74 86/75 94/85 94/86 95/91 86/75Specific Gravity (ASTM D 792-91) 1.27 1.3 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.27 TensileStrength, PSI (ASTM D 638-91) 3315 3472 3467 3421 3218 3322 Elongation,% (ASTM D 638-91) 338 305 281 328 306 341 Dynamic Heat Stability, 205°C., 100 RPM, #5 Bowl, 24 60 60 60 60 3 Minutes (ASTM D 2538-95) InitialYellow, 210° C., Minutes (ASTM D 2115-92) 15 10 10 10 15 15Decomposition Time, 210° C., Minutes (ASTM D 2115-92) 45 >60 >60 >60 2520

TABLE 4 Evaluation of Aliphatic Ester Thiols in a Typical Poly(vinylchloride) Composition Control 1 Control 2 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial4 Ingredient Description OxyVinyls 455F 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00100.00 100.00 DOP 30.00 30.00 — — — — Thiol-Adipate — — 35.00 30.00 — —Thiol-Succinate — — — — 35.00 30.00 Epoxidized Soybean Oil 5.00 — — 5.00— 5.00 General Purpose Ba/Zn Liquid 3.00 — — — — — Dythal/Tribase Blend— 4.00 — — — — Stearic Acid 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 Total (Partsby weight) 138.10 134.10 135.10 135.10 135.10 135.10 Test DescriptionHardness, Shore C (ASTM D 2240-86) 85/75 91/85 70/60 70/60 80/72 80/73Specific Gravity (ASTM D 792-91) 1.27 1.32 1.3 1.3 1.27 1.27 TensileStrength, PSI (ASTM D 638-91) 3482 3725 3759 3630 3588 3504 Elongation,% (ASTM D 638-91) 327 288 262 259 311 342 Dynamic Heat Stability, 205°C., 100 19 29 57 58 >60 >60 RPM, #5 Bowl, Minutes (ASTM D 2538-95)Initial Yellow, 210° C., Minutes 15 10 15 15 15 15 (ASTM D 2115-92)Decomposition Time, 210° C., Minutes 45 60 >60 >60 50 >60 (ASTM D2115-92)

Example 5 Aliphatic Ester Thiol Compounds

As can be seen in Table 4, aliphatic ester thiol compounds of thepresent invention were evaluated and directly compared to two controlformulations containing a conventional plasticizer and two conventionalstabilizers. The results show that both of the ester thiols are verygood plasticizers, with the adipate thiol actually being more efficientas a plasticizer than DOP. Moreover, both of the ester thiols conferreddynamic and static heat stability to the formulations that were equal toor greater than those achieved with conventional amounts of commerciallead or barium-zinc stabilizers. When the succinate thiol was used, thestatic heat stability also was improved by the incorporation of 5 partsby weight of epoxidized soybean oil, which is well-known to be ascavenger for HCl. Furthermore, when used together with either theadipate thiol or the succinate thiol, the epoxidized soybean oil tendedto prevent the formation of small bubbles in the test specimens duringthe static heat stability test. Neither of the aliphatic ester thiolscaused strong or offensive odors during compounding or testingoperations.

Example 6 Di-ester Ether Compounds Containing Sulfhydryl Groups

A static heat stability test was carried out with di(ethylene glycol)bis(3-mercaptobenzoate). 100 parts of poly(vinyl chloride) and 30 partsof the di(ethylene glycol) bis(3-mercaptobenzoate) (0.050 mole per moleof PVC monomer units) were intimately blended and heated under argon at175-180° C. for two hours. At the end of the heating period, the mixtureremained substantially as white as the starting blend, thus exhibitingno significant color change.

Example 7 Di-ester Ether Compounds Containing Sulfhydryl Groups

A static heat stability test was carried out with di(ethylene glycol)bis(2-mercaptobenzoate). 100 parts of poly(vinyl chloride) and 30 partsof the di(ethylene glycol) bis(2-mercaptobenzoate) (0.050 mole per moleof PVC monomer units) were intimately blended and heated under argon at175-180° C. for two hours. At the end of the heating period, the mixtureremained substantially as white as the starting blend.

Example 8 Comparison of Low Levels of Di(ethylene glycol)Bis(mercaptobenzoates) with Conventional Stabilizers

Table 5 is a comparative evaluation of the organic thiols di(ethyleneglycol) bis(2-mercaptobenzoate) and di(ethylene glycol)bis(3-mercaptobenzoate), utilized at low levels in a typical plasticizedpoly(vinyl chloride) composition, with current commercially utilizedstabilizers. The formulations presented therein were prepared bystandard blending methods which are well-known to those skilled in theart. Properties of these formulations were determined by the standardASTM methods that are identified under the heading “Test Description.”The data show that the dynamic heat stabilities conferred by the organicthiols are better than those obtained with traditional amounts ofcommercial lead or barium/zinc heat stabilizers. The excellent dynamicheat stability can be obtained with or without the incorporation of anepoxidized soybean oil costabilizer. However, the epoxidized soybean oilcauses increases of the static decomposition times. As can be seen fromExamples 6 and 7, the development time of initial yellow for PVCcompositions can be increased by utilizing greater amounts of theorganic thiol.

TABLE 5 Comparison of Low Levels of Di(ethylene glycol)Bis(mercaptobenzoates) with Conventional Stabilizers Control 3 Control 4Trial 5 Trial 6 Trial 7 Trial 8 Ingredient Description OxyVinyls 455F100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 DOP 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.0030.00 30.00 Di(ethylene glycol) bis(2-mercaptobenzoate) — — 3.00 3.00 —— Di(ethylene glycol) bis(3-mercaptobenzoate) — — — — 3.00 3.00Epoxidized Soybean Oil 5.00 — 5.00 — 5.00 — General Purpose Ba/Zn Liquid3.00 — — — — — Dythal/Tribase Blend — 4.00 — — — — Stearic Acid 0.100.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 Total (Parts by weight) 138.10 134.10 138.10133.10 138.10 133.10 Test Description Dynamic Heat Stability, 205° C.,100 RPM, 14 22 >60 >60 >60 >60 #5 Bowl, Minutes (ASTM D 2538-95) InitialYellow, 210° C., Minutes 20 10 5 5 10 10 (ASTM D 2115-92) DecompositionTime, 210° C., Minutes 35 >60 40 20 45 20 (ASTM D 2115-92)

Example 9 Comparison of Low Levels of Pentaerythritol 2-EthylhexanoateTris(2-mercaptopropionate) and DipentaerythritolHexakis(3-mercaptopropionate) with Conventional Stabilizers

Table 6 is a comparative evaluation of the organic thiolspentaerythritol 2-ethylhexanoate tris(2-mercaptopropionate) anddipentaerythritol hexakis(3-mercaptopropionate), utilized at low levelsin a typical plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) composition, with currentcommercially utilized stabilizers. The formulations presented thereinwere prepared by standard blending methods which are well-known to thoseskilled in the art. Properties of these formulations were determined bythe standard ASTM methods that are identified under the heading “TestDescription.” The data show that the dynamic heat stabilities conferredby the organic thiols are better than those obtained with traditionalamounts of commercial lead or barium/zinc heat stabilizers. Theexcellent dynamic heat stability can be obtained with or without theincorporation of an epoxidized soybean oil costabilizer. However, theepoxidized soybean oil causes increases of the times to initialyellowing, and in the case of dipentaerythritolhexakis(3-mercaptopropionate), epoxidized soybean oil increases both thedynamic heat stability and the static decomposition time.

TABLE 6 Comparison of Low Levels of Pentaerythritol 2-EthylhexanoateTris(2-mercaptopropionate) and DipentaerythritolHexakis(3-mercaptopropionate) with Conventional Stabilizers Control 1Control 2 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Ingredient DescriptionOxyVinyls 455F 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 DOP 30.00 30.0030.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 Pentaerythritol 2-ethylhexanoate tris(2- — —3.00 3.00 — — mercaptopropionate) Dipentaerythritolhexakis(3-mercaptopropionate) — — — — 3.00 3.00 Epoxidized Soybean Oil5.00 — 5.00 — 5.00 — General Purpose Ba/Zn Liquid 3.00 — — — — —Dythal/Tribase Blend — 4.00 — — — — Stearic Acid 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.100.10 0.10 Total (Parts by weight) 138.10 134.10 138.10 133.10 138.10133.10 Test Description Dynamic Heat Stability, 205° C., 100 RPM, 2123 >60 >60 >60 41 #5 Bowl, Minutes (ASTM D 2538-95) Initial Yellow, 210°C., Minutes 20 15 10 5 15 10 (ASTM D 2115-92) Decomposition Time, 210°C., Minutes 45 >60 30 30 >60 40 (ASTM D 2115-92)

Example 10 Color Stabilization by Low Levels ofMercaptophenylcarboxylate Heat Stabilizers

Table 7 is a comparative evaluation of mercaptophenylcarboxylate organicthiols disclosed as in the present invention. A blend of the ingredientslisted for each trial was heated under argon at 175° C. to about 180° C.for 2.0 h. The color stability results are listed in the table. Underthe same conditions, PVC containing no additives acquired a very darkred-brown color.

TABLE 7 Color Stabilization by Low Levels of MercaptophenylcarboxylateHeat Stabilizers Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Trial 6 Trial 7Trial 8 Trial 9 Trial 10 Ingredient Description PVC 100.00 100.00 100.00100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 Pentaerythritoltetrakis(4- 3.00 3.00 — — — — — — — — mercaptophenylacetate) (majorisomer)^(a) Pentaerythritol tetrakis (3- — — 3.00 3.00 — — — — — —mercaptophenylacetate) (major isomer)^(b) Di(ethylene glycol) — — — —3.00 3.00 — — — — bis(mercaptophenylacetate) Tri(ethylene glycol) — — —— — — 3.00 3.00 — — bis(mercaptophenylacetate) 1,3-Propanediol — — — — —— — — 3.00 3.00 bis(mercaptophenylacetate) Epoxidized Soybean Oil 5.00 —5.00 — 5.00 — 5.00 — 5.00 — Total (Parts by weight) 108.00 103.00 108.00103.00 108.00 103.00 108.00 103.00 108.00 103.00 Test Description VisualColor Pale Pale Pale Pale Off- Off- Very Very Very Very yellow- yellow-yellow yellow white white pale pale pale pale brown brown yellow yellowyellow yellow ^(a)Mixture also contained the 3-isomer ^(b)Mixture alsocontained the 4-isomer

Example 11 Comparison of Low Levels of Mercaptophenylcarboxylates withConventional Stabilizers

Table 8 is a comparative evaluation of the mercaptophenylcarboxylateorganic thiols pentaerythritol tetrakis(4-mercaptophenylacetate) (majorisomer), pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptophenylacetate) (majorisomer), and di(ethylene glycol) bis(mercaptophenylacetate), utilized atlow levels in a typical plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) composition,with current commercially utilized stabilizers. The formulationspresented therein were prepared by standard blending methods which arewell-known to those skilled in the art. Properties of these formulationswere determined by the standard ASTM methods that are identified underthe heading “Test Description.” The data show that the dynamic heatstabilities conferred by the organic thiols are better than thoseobtained with traditional amounts of commercial lead or barium/zinc heatstabilizers. The excellent dynamic heat stability can be obtained withor without the incorporation of an HCl scavenger such as epoxidizedsoybean oil.

TABLE 8 Comparison of Low Levels of Mercaptophenylcarboxylate OrganicThiols with Conventional Stabilizers Control 1 Control 2 Trial 1 Trial 2Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Trial 6 Ingredient Description PVC (OxyVinyls455F) 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 DOP 30.0030.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 30.00 Pentaerythritol tetrakis(4- —— 3.00 3.00 — — — — mercaptophenylacetate) (major isomer)^(a)Pentaerythritol tetrakis (3- — — — — 3.00 3.00 — —mercaptophenylacetate) (major isomer)^(b) Di(ethylene glycol) — — — — —— 3.00 3.00 bis(mercaptophenylacetate) General Purpose Ba/Zn Liquid 3.00— — — — — — — Dythal/Tribase Blend — 4.00 — — — — — — Epoxidized SoybeanOil — — 5.00 — 5.00 — 5.00 — Stearic acid 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.100.10 0.10 Total (Parts by weight) 133.10 134.10 138.10 133.10 138.10133.10 138.10 133.10 Test Description Dynamic Heat Stability, 205° C.,100 RPM, 17 25 >60 >60 >60 >60 >60 >60 #5 Bowl, Minutes (ASTM D 2538-95)Initial Yellow, 210° C., Minutes 20 15 10 10 10 10 10 10 (ASTM D2115-92) Decomposition Time, 210° C., Minutes 35 >60 40 30 40 25 45 25(ASTM D 2115-92) ^(a)Mixture also contained the 3-isomer ^(b)Mixturealso contained the 4-isomer

In accordance with the patent statutes, the best mode and preferredembodiments have been set forth, and the scope of the present inventionis not limited thereto, but rather by the scope of the attached claims.

1. A polymer composition comprising: a chlorine-containing orbromine-containing polymer; and a heat stabilizer component consistingof a) an organic thiol compound having the formula:

wherein E is 1 to about 5, wherein R¹² is a straight chain or branchedalkylene having from 1 to about 15 carbon atoms, wherein R¹³ is i) alinear, cyclo-, or branched alkyl or alkylene group, having from 1 toabout 25 carbon atoms, or ii) an aralkyl or aralkylene group having from7 to about 25 carbon atoms, or said i) or ii) having at least oneheteroatom, and wherein D is 1 to about 10; and optionally b) anon-metal-containing heat stabilizer free of a terpene compound, whereinsaid organic thiol compound is present in an amount from about 1 toabout 100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said polymer.
 2. Apolymer composition according to claim 1, wherein D is 2 to about
 6. 3.A polymer composition according to claim 2, wherein said organic thiolis di(ethylene glycol) bis(3-mercaptophenylacetate), di(ethylene glycol)bis(4-mercaptophenylacetate), tri(ethylene glycol)bis(3-mercaptopheflylacetate), tri(ethylene glycol)bis(4-mercaptophenylacetate), 1,3-propanediolbis(3-mercapto-phenylacetate), 1,3-propanediolbis(4-mercaptophenylacetate), pentaeryth ritoltetrakis(3-mercaptophenylacetate), pentaerythritoltetrakis(4-mercaptophenylacetate), 4,4′-dimethyloldiphenyletherbis(mercaptophenylacetate), o-, m-, or p-xylene-α,α′-diolbis(mercaptophenylacetate) or a combination thereof.
 4. A polymercomposition according to claim 2, wherein E is 1 to 4, and wherein saidheteroatom comprises an ethereal oxygen atom.
 5. A polymer compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein said polymer is poly(vinyl chloride),poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(vinyl bromide), poly(vinylidenebromide), chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride), chlorinated polyethylene,chlorinated natural or synthetic rubber, polychioroprene, rubberhydrochloride, chlorinated polystyrene, or copolymers thereof, orcombinations thereof.
 6. A polymer composition according to claim 5,wherein the amount of said organic thiol is from about 1 to about 50parts, or about 50 parts to about 100 parts per 100 parts by weight ofsaid polymer.
 7. A polymer composition according to claim 5, whereinsaid composition further includes said non-metal-containing heatstabilizer free of a terpene compound.
 8. A polymer compositionaccording to claim 7, wherein said non-metal-containing heat stabilizeris epoxidized soybean oil, and wherein said epoxidized soybean oil ispresent in an amount from about 1 to about 30 parts by weight per 100parts by weight of said polymer.
 9. A polymer composition comprising: achlorine containing or bromine containing polymer; and an organic thiolcompound having the formula:

wherein E is 1 to about 5, wherein R¹² is a straight chain or branchedalkylene having from 1 to about 15 carbon atoms, wherein R¹³ is i) alinear, cyclo-, or branched alkyl or alkylene group, having from 1 toabout 25 carbon atoms, or ii) an aralkyl or aralkylene group having from7 to about 25 carbon atoms, or said i) or ii) having at least oneheteroatom, and wherein D is 1 to about 10; wherein said polymercomposition is free of a Lewis acid, wherein said polymer composition isfree of a metal-containing heat stabilizer, and wherein said polymercomposition is also free of a terpene compound.
 10. A polymercomposition according to claim 9, wherein D is 2 to about
 6. 11. Apolymer composition according to claim 10, wherein said organic thiol isdi(ethylene glycol) bis(3-mercaptophenylacetate), di(ethylene glycol)bis(4-mercaptophenylacetate), tri(ethylene glycol)bis(3-mercaptophenylacetate), tri(ethylene glycol)bis(4-mercaptophenylacetate), 1,3-propanediolbis(3-mercaptophenylacetate), 1,3-propanediolbis(4-mercaptophenylacetate), pentaerythritoltetrakis(3-mercaptophenylacetate), pentaerythritoltetrakis(4-mercaptophenylacetate), 4,4′-dimethyloldiphenyletherbis(mercaptophenylacetate), o-, m-, or p-xylene-α,α′-diolbis(mercaptophenylacetate) or a combination thereof.
 12. A polymercomposition according to claim 11, wherein E is 1 to 4, and wherein saidheteroatom comprises an ethereal oxygen atom.
 13. A polymer compositionaccording to claim 12, wherein said polymer is poly(vinyl chloride),poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(vinyl bromide), poly(vinylidenebromide), chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride), chlorinated polyethylene,chlorinated natural or synthetic rubber, polychloroprene, rubberhydrochloride, chlorinated polystyrene, or copolymers thereof, orcombinations thereof.
 14. A polymer composition according to claim 13,wherein the amount of said organic thiol is from about 1 to about 50parts, or about 50 parts to about 100 parts by weight per 100 parts byweight of said polymer.
 15. A polymer composition according to claim 14,wherein said composition further includes a non-metal-containing heatstabilizer which is free of a terpene compound.
 16. A polymercomposition according to claim 15, wherein said non-metal-containingheat stabilizer is epoxidized soybean oil, and wherein said epoxidizedsoybean oil is present in an amount from about 1 to about 30 parts byweight per 100 parts by weight of said polymer.
 17. An organic thiol,having the formula

wherein E is 1 to about 5, wherein R¹² is a straight chain or branchedalkylene having from 1 to about 15 carbon atoms, wherein R¹³ is i) alinear, cyclo-, or branched alkyl or alkylene group, having from 1 toabout 25 carbon atoms, or ii) an aralkyl or aralkylene group having from7 to about 25 carbon atoms, or said i) or ii) having at least oneheteroatom, and wherein D is 2 to about
 10. 18. An organic thiolaccording to claim 17, wherein D is 2 to 4, and wherein E is 1 to about4.
 19. An organic thiol according to claim 18, wherein said organicthiol is di(ethylene glycol) bis(3-mercaptophenylacetate), di(ethyleneglycol) bis(4-mercaptophenylacetate), tri(ethylene glycol)bis(3-mercaptophenylacetate), tri(ethylene glycol)bis(4-mercaptophenylacetate), 1,3-propanediolbis(3-mercaptophenylacetate), 1,3-propaned iolbis(4-mercaptophenylacetate), pentaerythritoltetrakis(3-mercapto-phenylacetate), pentaerythritoltetrakis(4-mercaptophenylacetate), 4,4′-dimethyloldi-phenyletherbis(mercaptophenylacetate), o-, m-, or p-xylene-α,α′-diolbis(mercapto-phenylacetate) or a combination thereof.
 20. An organicthiot according to claim 19, wherein said heteroatom comprises an oxygenatom, and wherein R¹² is 1 to about 6 carbon atoms.